Ukraine is preparing to adopt the Nordic waste labelling system, a model already used across Sweden and several other EU countries to guide citizens in proper waste sorting and recycling. The initiative marks another important step towards harmonising Ukraine’s waste management practices with European standards.
The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine has announced its intention to implement the unified system of waste symbols, developed through Nordic cooperation and sent the draft to other ministries for its approval. This system provides clear and consistent visual guidance for separating waste by material type – using recognisable pictograms, colours and terminology that make recycling easier for households, businesses and local authorities alike.
“It’s great that Swedish support for Ukraine can have such a concrete effect, and that we can use the same symbols in the future,” says Andrik Mols, Technical Project Manager of WM4U and International Project Manager at Avfall Sverige (the Swedish Waste Management Association). “The Nordic labelling system is not just about design – it’s about communication, clarity, and encouraging responsible environmental behaviour.”
The idea to introduce the Nordic labelling system in Ukraine emerged during a study visit of Ukrainian municipalities to Sweden earlier this year, organised within the framework of WM4U Programme. During the visit, Ukrainian representatives observed how Sweden has successfully implemented the unified pictogram system to standardise public communication and ensure that waste sorting information looks the same across the country – from households and schools to collection points and recycling centres.
While a significant share of household waste in Ukraine still ends up in landfills, the country is now moving towards a circular economy approach. “The ambition is high,” says Mols. “I am convinced that adopting the Nordic sign system will help citizens sort waste more effectively, make recycling easier across different locations, and become an important piece of the puzzle for increasing material recovery rates.”
The upcoming implementation will also facilitate better cooperation between municipalities, waste operators and citizens, creating a shared visual language that strengthens trust and efficiency in waste management.For more information about the Swedish-Ukrainian cooperation on strengthening municipal waste management, visit wm4u.org.ua and the website of Avfall Sverige.